I'm trying to educate myself on the tube amp market.

virtualdean
virtualdean Posts: 286
edited May 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I have a SS system I am happy with. I'm just looking across the street at what tubeville offers and want to increase my knowledge.
When I do pull the trigger. I want to know I'm getting a good deal on a good amp that will make a good second system.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350346436472&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Check this out..Was this a good deal? I watched it for the last few minutes.
Should I have jumped on it? :cool:
Post edited by virtualdean on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited May 2010
    Those are some very nice amps. However, the fact that the back of one had some damage kept the price lower than normal.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited May 2010
    Maybe but what speakers do you plan to drive them with ? Might start with Tube pre,
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited May 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Those are some very nice amps. However, the fact that the back of one had some damage kept the price lower than normal.

    Damage? I saw some scuff marks but not damage. I thought that a 100 wpc tube amp would go for more.

    Does VTL have a good reputation?

    I want to start with the amp than get everything based on its capabilities.
    The SS setup will stay seperate in another room.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited May 2010
    If you can find a cheap deal on a tube amp, that is one way to start a system, but you really do need to decide which way you want to go unless you TRUELY don't care. For example, a low power amp is good for driving high sensitivity designs, horns or otherwise. A single ended triode design like a 300B could provide great sound quality, but not on less sensitive speakers with its 8wpc. If you were to buy 100wpc mono blocks though, it would be game on for most speakers.
    Jake
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited May 2010
    I have a pair,the ones listed in the ad have the B+ voltage fuses and external bias points.I was watching these and my concerns were,,amp on right looks like it took a hit in the rear,,each amp has a hole between the input and binding posts,,dunno bout' that,,maybe original power cord??,,and the fact that one amp did not produce sound until the tubes were re-biased,,or something like that.To answer your question,, they are GREAT amplifiers,,they can be finkey,, but when they are biased properly,, they sound "frighteningly" good.They were made back when David Manley was much more involved with the company,and the philosophy was to produce quality gear,,with much less emphasis on profit.Mine,,I paid 900 for the pair,,they were in exceptional condition,,prior to being shipped by clowns,,fortunately they survived.The older Manley/VTL gear is hard to beat,,just my .02 worth--good luck in your hunt. :)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Cpyder
    Cpyder Posts: 514
    edited May 2010
    virtualdean wrote: »
    Damage? I saw some scuff marks but not damage. I thought that a 100 wpc tube amp would go for more.

    Does VTL have a good reputation?

    I want to start with the amp than get everything based on its capabilities.
    The SS setup will stay seperate in another room.

    Looks like the one on the right is cracked/broken in the back, right where the label is.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited May 2010
    virtualdean wrote: »
    Damage? I saw some scuff marks but not damage. I thought that a 100 wpc tube amp would go for more.

    From the auction....
    Excellent condition, a few minor scuffs, as seen in photo one of the amplifiers case at the rear is slightly bowed out of place, nothing major

    Anything that says excellent condition and then lists defects/problems is NOT in excellent condition, period.

    I agree with George, that case took a nasty hit.

    Does VTL have a good reputation?

    Excellent.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited May 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    From the auction....



    Anything that says excellent condition and then lists defects/problems is NOT in excellent condition, period.

    I agree with George, that case took a nasty hit.




    Excellent.

    Thank you one and all for your views...My eyes aren't the best and perhaps was too eager to believe that id stumbled on an incredible deal..
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • PerfectCreature
    PerfectCreature Posts: 1,456
    edited May 2010
    Be patient. I have waited months and saved up before I got what I called some good. deals...don't jump the gun...
    If you wait around it will come...
    You never know someone may post one of thier tube amps up on FS....
    Receiver
    Harman Kardon HK 3490
    Speakers
    Polk Audio Monitor 50s
    Subwoofer
    Klipsch KSW-100
    Cables
    AudioQuest Rocket 33s 10ft
    AudioQuest Optilink1 2m
    AudioQuest Alpha-Snake 25ft Interconnect
    AudioQuest HDMI-1 2m

    Alienware X51 R2
    PS4
    Samsung Smart TV 40" 1080p 3D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • virtualdean
    virtualdean Posts: 286
    edited May 2010
    PerfectCreature wrote: »
    Be patient. I have waited months and saved up before I got what I called some good. deals...don't jump the gun...
    If you wait around it will come...
    You never know someone may post one of thier tube amps up on FS....
    u are entirely correct. I jumped the gun in frustration and bought new when I got back into this game and paid too much. If I'd waited until tax season I could have saved 30% on a lightly used unit. The up side, I love the Sunfire and I did avoid mucho frustration in the biidding wars on ebay.
    Next tax season I will be all over the Gon and ebay looking for a deal on whatever is going through my want portion of my brain. Besides nekkit women I mean.:D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited May 2010
    this is the perfect thread for Ted to interject some wisdom--come in TED. ;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter